Abstract
We report for the first time 100% benzyl alcohol yield from the liquid phase (T = 353 K, P = 9 bar) hydrogenation of benzaldehyde over Au/Al2O3. Under the same reaction conditions, a benchmark Pt/Al2O3 catalyst promoted the formation of toluene and benzene as hydrogenolysis by-products. Reaction kinetics was subjected to a Hammett treatment and the reaction constant (ρ = 0.9) was found to be consistent with a nucleophilic mechanism. A solvent (alcohol, water and alcohol + water) effect is demonstrated and ascribed to competitive adsorption where solvation by polar (water) facilitates benzaldehyde activation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 881–887 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Catalysis Letters |
Volume | 150 |
Early online date | 30 Sept 2019 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Mar 2020 |
Keywords
- Au/Al O
- Benzaldehyde
- Benzyl alcohol
- Pt/Al O
- Selective hydrogenation
- Water as solvent
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- General Chemistry